India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni extended all possible help to the inventor of his famous 'helicopter shot' and one of his close childhood friends, Santosh Lal, who has been diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. Lal was airlifted to Delhi on Monday for treatment.

"Former Ranji
cricketer Santosh Lal was taken to Delhi by air ambulance and admitted to a hospital. Besides Dhoni, all his other friends have come forward in helping Santosh fight the disease," said a close friend of Dhoni's.

"Dhoni is in touch and helping in making all necessary arrangements for the treatment," he added.

Lal, a Ranji player, has been identified with acute pancreatitis and was admitted in a unconscious state at a Ranchi hospital before being airlifted to Delhi.

Jharkhand state cricket association (JSCA) secretary Rajesh Verma said the JSCA has donated Rs. one lakh to Lal for his treatment and Rs. 39,500 was collected among the association members and handed over to his family.

"Lal has played Ranji Trophy with Dhoni," Chanchal Bhattacharya, Dhoni's coach during his formative years, said.

Suraj Mohan, another friend, who was with Lal for the last three days, saw him off at the airport in Ranchi.

Dhoni, who is out on a tour of the US, reportedly credited his 'helicopter shot' to Lal, who used to execute the stroke in Ranji Trophy matches with style.